State making Do Not Call list permanent

by FOX 11 News

Wired telephone file photo.

MADISON - Are you signed up for Wisconsin's Do Not Call list but don't like having to re-register every two years? From now on, you won't have to.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says it is moving over its list to the Federal Trade Commission's nationwide list, starting Aug. 1. That means anyone who has registered a phone number on the state list will have that number permanently on the list. In addition, new registrations will take effect the next day instead of at the beginning of the next quarter.

Telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling numbers on the list.

Registration can be done online or by phone at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). Call those same numbers to verify registration on the list.

Political and charity robocalls are not covered by the list and remain legal, DATCP points out. However, if a robocall includes a sales pitch, it is covered by the Do Not Call law. If you receive an illegal robocall, officials recommend you not respond and hang up immediately.